negative thoughts on court

[Miki 1234]

I dont have them, they never come up in my head when i play even when everything is against me.
I just know my average chances plus or minus and try my best to get there .
In real life i have them , but on the court they just never come up and even if they would its
such a brief moment that its not worth mentioning because i just get rid of them in a sec.
Im not saying im positive like Nadal or Coric , far from it, its just kinda neutral and sometimes even annoying feeling but never negative.
Now concentration is another thing and here I mess up from time to time.
But I will never lose because of negativity.In worst case I will let of my aggression on something and go right back at it.
There are plenty players like me , some of them talk **** all the time but the fact is its rarely negative even tho it looks like it .
How can I tell , well they always fight every single point and manage to stay positive in the end so their end result is always in their range.
So for sure they dont stack negative thoughts.
I also know some players which are much better then me but seem to stack negative thoughts .
Stack is the right word.
Seems as tho they lose on purpose and are not even aware of it.
Then they blame it on someone else or something else .
But the fact is no matter what they change they will still lose on purpose .
So their results can be a disaster from time to time and sometimes for months even tho they practice hard.
I know some players , not many tho who play like this .
How do you feel on this matter, is it one or the other or somewhere in between.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I dont have them, they never come up in my head when i play even when everything is against me.
I just know my average chances plus or minus and try my best to get there .
In real life i have them , but on the court they just never come up and even if they would its
such a brief moment that its not worth mentioning because i just get rid of them in a sec.
Im not saying im positive like Nadal or Coric , far from it, its just kinda neutral and sometimes even annoying feeling but never negative.
Now concentration is another thing and here I mess up from time to time.
But I will never lose because of negativity.In worst case I will let of my aggression on something and go right back at it.
There are plenty players like me , some of them talk **** all the time but the fact is its rarely negative even tho it looks like it .
How can I tell , well they always fight every single point and manage to stay positive in the end so their end result is always in their range.
So for sure they dont stack negative thoughts.
I also know some players which are much better then me but seem to stack negative thoughts .
Stack is the right word.
Seems as tho they lose on purpose and are not even aware of it.
Then they blame it on someone else or something else .
But the fact is no matter what they change they will still lose on purpose .
So their results can be a disaster from time to time and sometimes for months even tho they practice hard.
I know some players , not many tho who play like this .
How do you feel on this matter, is it one or the other or somewhere in between.

I don't know anyone who never has negative thoughts. The mentally strong know how to deal with those thoughts rather than trying to suppress them.

 

[tomato123]

"The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists."

 

[armandogomes]

Sometimes I have bad thoughts because I expect myself to do better - even when knowing that it was a difficult shot or any other reason that would probably explain my error. The "skill" that I'm more proud of - and was developed - is being strong enough (mentality-wise) that despite being 0-40 in my serve or being 1-5 in the set, I'll just go out there and play every point as it is the most important point ever. It's only done when it's done.

I used to feel down, demotivated, pretty much defeated if my opponent broke my serve or if I could not get my game going. Now I just "Djokov-it" and go after the score. Sometimes I lose my serve. Others I lose the set - but feeling defeated? no more.

 

[Rosstour]

I've got to the point with my main hitting partner where I can pinpoint, in real time, the moment at which the matches turn and my door closes. It's fcking agonizing.

 

[Happi]

I've got to the point with my main hitting partner where I can pinpoint, in real time, the moment at which the matches turn and my door closes. It's fcking agonizing.

Try look at Jeff Greenwald books, audio or his website for good help

Fearless Tennis - Master the Mental Game of Tennis and Win More

The mental game of tennis is the key to winning more. Master the inner game with sports psychology consultant and former world-ranked pro Jeff Greenwald.

fearlesstennis.com

Cheers

 

[denoted]

Fear is the mind-killer.

 

[Miki 1234]

I've got to the point with my main hitting partner where I can pinpoint, in real time, the moment at which the matches turn and my door closes. It's fcking agonizing.

I know the feeling i can do the same thing in my online gaming hehe.
The frustration is real.
But i dont remember the point were I just passed it in tennis and never happens.
Was is just countless repetitions or something else i have no idea.

 

[Miki 1234]

Fear is the mind-killer.

YEs had the exact same thought from the dune yesterday hehe and it is kinda similar .
I have the fear i except it even like it but I dont play along and do my drill which i always do and it just passes .
The funny thing is i can only do it in tennis.
And now im thinking why.

 

[ChaelAZ]

I really had issues with spiral or catostrophic thoughts when I was younger. Much of it to do with early life lack of confidence. I have had to really hone myself to listen to what is being said in my head and nip it in the bud before things blossom. On court, the exact same is true.

Couple tips and nmonics that have worked for me:

• Don't speak in absolutes: I used to miss a shot and in my head be yelling "you always miss that!" or "you will never win with that bad stroke!". Face it, one bad stroke, or some bad strokes does not lose a match overall. So I have had to compartmentalize those errors as just one off and still maintain confidence that general stroke is good.
• Compartmentalize things: Like above, a few bad strokes on a forehand doesn't mean your forehand is bad. For me I compartmentalize the few bad strokes as just that, a few. On days when there are a lot of bad strokes I still compartmentalize the stroke by understanding that won't be a strong part of my game so I need to work to win through other things that are working.
• Never have a Win/Loss mentallity: The only thing I like to focus on anymore is to compete the best I can. Sometimes my best isn't my best ever, and sometimes even my best BEST isn't enough to win. But if I am only trying to compete my best I have no internal pressure and I have less negative spiral when I am losing.
• Focus on postives around you: Sometimes it is just tough to internally get some psotives vibes going, so believe the chatter and support around you if available. I've had people watching matches that I though I was doing poorly in that could see better that I wasn't that far off and that far out of the match. I just let them be my good vibes.
• Have a mantra that you can repeat through a match: No matter the score internally I always say, "plenty of points to stay in" if down, or "few more points to keep going" if ahead. This is the Nadal, win-the-next-point mentallity.
• Play point-to-point: As just mentioned, focusing on the current point and not being worried about what has been or what might happen is HUGE for allowing you to play more free.

Anyway...all easier said than done, but I have found that using the above that over time I have gottne better mentally on court and haven't had meltdowns for quite some time. Worth trying a few.

Cheers.

 

[heninfan99]

It only matters if you can't reset. For example, I've seen Alize Cornet make all kinds of gestures and sounds and then reset and compete. She's French not a robot.

 

[Miki 1234]

I really had issues with spiral or catostrophic thoughts when I was younger. Much of it to do with early life lack of confidence. I have had to really hone myself to listen to what is being said in my head and nip it in the bud before things blossom. On court, the exact same is true.

Couple tips and nmonics that have worked for me:

• Don't speak in absolutes: I used to miss a shot and in my head be yelling "you always miss that!" or "you will never win with that bad stroke!". Face it, one bad stroke, or some bad strokes does not lose a match overall. So I have had to compartmentalize those errors as just one off and still maintain confidence that general stroke is good.
• Compartmentalize things: Like above, a few bad strokes on a forehand doesn't mean your forehand is bad. For me I compartmentalize the few bad strokes as just that, a few. On days when there are a lot of bad strokes I still compartmentalize the stroke by understanding that won't be a strong part of my game so I need to work to win through other things that are working.
• Never have a Win/Loss mentallity: The only thing I like to focus on anymore is to compete the best I can. Sometimes my best isn't my best ever, and sometimes even my best BEST isn't enough to win. But if I am only trying to compete my best I have no internal pressure and I have less negative spiral when I am losing.
• Focus on postives around you: Sometimes it is just tough to internally get some psotives vibes going, so believe the chatter and support around you if available. I've had people watching matches that I though I was doing poorly in that could see better that I wasn't that far off and that far out of the match. I just let them be my good vibes.
• Have a mantra that you can repeat through a match: No matter the score internally I always say, "plenty of points to stay in" if down, or "few more points to keep going" if ahead. This is the Nadal, win-the-next-point mentallity.
• Play point-to-point: As just mentioned, focusing on the current point and not being worried about what has been or what might happen is HUGE for allowing you to play more free.

Anyway...all easier said than done, but I have found that using the above that over time I have gottne better mentally on court and haven't had meltdowns for quite some time. Worth trying a few.

Cheers.

Yes that is exactly what I did all of those things ty for reminding me took about 2 years .
, but now I need a shorter version which works faster hehe.

 

[joohan]

I really had issues with spiral or catostrophic thoughts when I was younger. Much of it to do with early life lack of confidence. I have had to really hone myself to listen to what is being said in my head and nip it in the bud before things blossom. On court, the exact same is true.

Couple tips and nmonics that have worked for me:

• Don't speak in absolutes: I used to miss a shot and in my head be yelling "you always miss that!" or "you will never win with that bad stroke!". Face it, one bad stroke, or some bad strokes does not lose a match overall. So I have had to compartmentalize those errors as just one off and still maintain confidence that general stroke is good.
• Compartmentalize things: Like above, a few bad strokes on a forehand doesn't mean your forehand is bad. For me I compartmentalize the few bad strokes as just that, a few. On days when there are a lot of bad strokes I still compartmentalize the stroke by understanding that won't be a strong part of my game so I need to work to win through other things that are working.
• Never have a Win/Loss mentallity: The only thing I like to focus on anymore is to compete the best I can. Sometimes my best isn't my best ever, and sometimes even my best BEST isn't enough to win. But if I am only trying to compete my best I have no internal pressure and I have less negative spiral when I am losing.
• Focus on postives around you: Sometimes it is just tough to internally get some psotives vibes going, so believe the chatter and support around you if available. I've had people watching matches that I though I was doing poorly in that could see better that I wasn't that far off and that far out of the match. I just let them be my good vibes.
• Have a mantra that you can repeat through a match: No matter the score internally I always say, "plenty of points to stay in" if down, or "few more points to keep going" if ahead. This is the Nadal, win-the-next-point mentallity.
• Play point-to-point: As just mentioned, focusing on the current point and not being worried about what has been or what might happen is HUGE for allowing you to play more free.

Anyway...all easier said than done, but I have found that using the above that over time I have gottne better mentally on court and haven't had meltdowns for quite some time. Worth trying a few.

Cheers.

Our minds are often caught in limbo between past and future. These points are very well transferrable into ones general life. That's why I love tennis so much...it's life packed into couple of lines and a couple of sets.

 

[ChaelAZ]

...now I need a shorter version which works faster hehe....

lol. Just tell yourself pull your head out and don't do stupid mistakes.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is a little death that brings total obliteration.

 

[Miki 1234]

lol. Just tell yourself pull your head out and don't do stupid mistakes.

Its not for myself hehe

 

[jered]

For me, I have to play fairly emotionless and stay focused on the moment. Whether I win a big point or shank an easy ball, I try to keep the emotional impact minimal and start thinking about the next point instead. If I do this I find I can be more observational about my mistakes and correct them quickly which leads to some great turnarounds. It's difficult though.

I've also started carrying notes into league matches that I look at on changeovers to refocus or analyze what I need to do in the next game. It helps a ton for me.

 

[Allon khakshouri]

I think being positive on the court is crucial for winning, and for enjoying the challenges of a match. What few people discuss is that at the same time, we need to give ourselves time off the court to connect to our emotions so they do not remain suppressed. Feelings like fear are indications that a key human need is not being met- whether this means we are not physically rested or do not enjoy the psychological safety to lose matches and make mistakes. Thee unmet needs, if not addressed, will affect our game and our life. So as much as we want to focus on being positive and in our best performance state on the tennis court, we need to create the environment where we can express and share our emotions of the court and give way to our authentic needs.

 

[user92626]

"The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists."

Sooo wise. I just took some bending and blending in and it feels very good.

No use to resist and stand out.